312 THROUGH SOMALILAND AND ABYSSINIA CHAP. 
As is the case with Waller’s gazelle, the Dibatag is enabled 
by its long neck and rather long upper lip to reach down 
branches of the mimdésa bushes from a considerable height. 
The shape of head and way of feeding of both antelopes are 
giraffe-like, and I have seen both standing on the hind-legs, with 
the fore-feet planted against the trunk of a tree, when feeding. 
I have seen Dibatag feeding both on thorn-bushes and on the 
durr grass. Both Waller’s and Clarke’s gazelles can live far 
from water. The country most suitable for Dibatag is jungle 
of the shansa or umbrella-mimésa, alternating with glades of 
durr grass, which grows about six feet high. The females are 
hornless. The Dibatag is a graceful antelope, standing higher 
than an Indian blackbuck, but weighing probably a good deal 
less. 
WaLier’s GAZELLE (Lithocranius walleri) 
Native name, (erentik 
The Gereniik is the commonest and most widely distributed 
of the Somali antelopes except the little Sakdro, which springs 
like a hare from every thicket. 
The long neck of the Gerenik, large giraffe-like eyes, and 
long muzzle, are peculiar to this species and the Dibatag. The 
Gerentk is more of a browser of bushes than a grass-feeder, and 
I have twice shot it in the act of standing on the hind-legs, 
neck extended, and fore-feet against the trunk of a tree, reaching 
down the tender shoots, which could not be got in any other 
way. Thus not only the appearance, but the habits of the 
Gerenik are giraffe-like. The skull extends far back behind 
the ears like that of a camel. ; 
It is found all over the Somali country in small families, 
never in large herds, and generally in scattered bush, ravines, 
and rocky ground. I think it subsists almost entirely on bushes, 
as it is constantly found in places deserted by beisa and all 
other antelopes because there was no grass. Perhaps the Gada- 
bursi country is the best ground, but the Gereniik is almost 
ubiquitous and need not be specially looked for. I have never 
seen it in the cedar-forests which crown Gélis, nor in the tree- 
less plains of the Haud. It is not necessarily found near water, 
—in fact, generally on stony ground with a sprinkling of thorn 
jungle. 
